WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue wrestling team has been keeping busy in the offseason, updating their facilities, participating in some freestyle tournaments and more. This update will check in on all of those things and more.

Hinkel Finalist for ELS Marketing Social Media Head Coach of the Year
Purdue wrestling head coach Scott Hinkel has been named one of seven finalists for the 2013 Elite Level Sports Marketing Social Media Head Coach of the Year. Online voting begins Monday, June 10, at 8 a.m., and will run through Friday, June 14.

The criteria for determining the award winners will feature two key elements: a panel of judges assessing performance (60%) and an online voting competition (40%). Fans may vote once per hour at elitelevelsportmarketing.com.

Boilermakers' 2013 Recruiting Class Ranked 24th by InterMat
Hinkel's six-man addition to next year's roster was ranked 24th by InterMat last week, adding another honor to this distinguished group. The class features Indiana natives Josh Farrell and Luke Welch, Jacob Morrissey of Wisconsin, Andrew Geers of Illinois, Aaron Assad of Ohio and Cody Pae of Missouri.

Four of the six were ranked in their weight class in InterMat's final individual rankings of the season, while four earned state titles in their finals high school seasons as well.

"This is an exciting class for us," said Hinkel. "These are all guys that we have been high on for a long time, and eventually everyone else started coming around too. Too see guys like Farrell and Morrissey go most of the year unranked and then get some recognition when the dust settled is a complement to our coaches in seeing that talent early. We're ready to get these guys on campus and start getting them ready for the next level."

2013-14 Schedule Taking Shape
The Boilermakers' 2013-14 schedule is getting close to being finalized and should be an incredibly difficult and entertaining slate. The eight-match Big Ten Conference schedule is as brutal as ever, featuring five of the top-10 finishers at last year's NCAA Championships, including three-time defending conference and national champion Penn State.

The early season highlights will be the Boilermakers hosting Duke as part of the 100-year celebration of Purdue wrestling, in addition to a team trip to Atlanta for a dual with Chattanooga. The non-conference slate will also include return trips to the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and 51st Midlands Championships.

Wisconsin is set to host the 2014 Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships return to Oklahoma City next spring. The Boilermakers will finalize and officially announce their schedule this fall. All scheduled matches and tournaments are tentative until then.

Tommy Churchard Named Volunteer Assistant
Two-time NCAA qualifier>Tommy Churchard will be sticking around a little longer as he was named the 2013-14 volunteer assistant coach by Hinkel. Churchard will assist with all facets of the program, including but not limited to practice planning, travel arrangements, team video, recruiting and community relations. After earning his degree in selling and sales this May, he will also help run the Boiler Elite Wrestling Club and Midwest Regional Training Center, and is working towards applying for a master's degree program at Purdue in the spring.

"We're excited to keep Tommy around," said Hinkel. "He was a great leader as a member of our team and that will transfer directly into him being able to step in as a coach. It's a win, win situation as he will be able to gain valuable experience and prepare himself for a career in coaching, while we get to keep one of our top guys close to the program."

Churchard followed Hinkel saying, "There are some great things happening at Purdue, and I'm excited to be able to stay here and continue being a part of it on the front lines. I've gotten to see Purdue wrestling from the student-athlete's perspective for the past five year, and it will be amazing to see how the other side works as well."

Churchard's duties have already begun as he's on board working with the coaches on several summer projects.

Hinkel Honored as 2013 Carmel USA Wrestling Visionary
Hinkel was named a 2013 Carmel USA Wrestling Visionary this summer as he attended a speaking event for the group in May. Carmel High School head coach and Boilermaker alumnus Ed Pendoski '94, invited Hinkel to the event under the guise of a speaking opportunity, only to surprise him with the award.

"It was an honor to be recognized by Coach Pendoski and Carmel wrestling," said Hinkel. "It's always extra special when you're able to be recognized by one of your own guys."

Purdue Wrestling Camps Begin June 16
We're just over two weeks away from the start of the Purdue wrestling camp season, and the Boilermakers are already expecting record numbers for their five summer sessions. Action kicks off June 16 with the Boilermaker Tough Training Camp, the Middle School Technique/Competition Camp and the Toss, Turn and Pin Camp. The Competition Takedown Camp follows on June 19, and the Boilermakers' Team Camp starts on June 26.

"We can't wait to get things started," said Boilermaker assistant coach Pete Rogers. "Our camp numbers and the quality of competition and performance have continually grown each year and we expect this summer to be our best ever. This is something people are excited to be a part of."

Purdue wrestling camps will be held on campus for the first time in more than 25 years, giving Boilermaker campers opportunity to compete and learn in the squad's official facilities. There is limited space available in each of the camps, so sign up now here.

Boilermakers Thrive at University National Freestyle Championships
In the introductory season of the new international freestyle rules, the Boilermakers had solid success at the ASICS University National Freestyle Championships. Rising senior Cashé Quiroga took second place at 60 kg (132.3 lbs.), going 5-1, while sophomore-to-be Dominique Price was sixth at 55 kg (121.2 lbs.), earning all four of his wins by technical fall.

"FILA wanted more scoring, more action and a more understandable format, and they definitely got one," said Boilermaker assistant coach Chris Fleeger, who accompanied Purdue's Midwest Regional Training Center representatives at the two-day tournament. "We were happy to see our guys have some success in freestyle, but almost equally excited to see how much more exciting our sport could be with the new rules. I saw a match that was 29-27, it was incredible."